Cigarette case



April 3, 1928.

F. E. wmaflatui CIGARETTE cKsE Filed Marc 7, '1927 Patented Apr. 3,1928.

UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. WAKEFIELD, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ILLINOIS WATCH CASECOMPANY, OF ELGIN,.ILLINOIS; A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CIGARETTE 'cnsE.

Application filed March 7, 1927. Serial N 0. 173,256;

This invention relates to a case suitable for containing small articlessuch as cigarettes and the like, and is concerned with a special coverconstruction, together with a release means therefor;

It is an object of my invention to provide a small case, suitable forcarrying in the pocket or elsewhere, which will have one open sidenormally closed by a pair of hinged covers in one of which is acontainer 'for articles which, when the covers are opened, are presentedin a position convenient for withdrawal. In connection with such a caseI have aimed to provide spring release means by which both covers may beopened simutaneously in response to pressure manually exerted. The caseof this invention is, furthermore, designed with a view to compactness,to beproduced and assembled with a minimum of effort and expense, and'towithstand ordinary usage over a long period of time.

A suggestive embodiment of my invention is set forth in the accompanyingdrawing in the manner following: x

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the case with the covers in closedposition; i

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the covers open;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig.4 is a similar view taken on l of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in plan show ing one corner of the case,thecovers being v partly broken away to expose the release meansinteriorly thereof.

The case, in the form shown, comprises a generally rectangular body Ahaving a bot tom 6 surrounded by marginal walls 7 with an inturned bezel8. At its two ends the walls may be extended slightly beyond the bezelso as to lie to the outside of proximate marginal walls 9 which dependfrom three sides of two complementary covers B and C which together forma closure for the case. These covers are connected to opposite sidewalls of the case as by means of spring hinges 10 each of which tendsnormally to move its associated cover to an open position, as shown inFig. 2. In closed position the cover walls may rest upon the bezel whichconstitutes a stop therefor.

It is preferred that the two case covers should extend from their hingededges for inc 454 '19 in the end wall 7.

unequal distances. The cover designated as B is the larger and extendsacross the major portion of the open face of the case. The remainingportion of this openingis closed by the cover C so that when both coversare shut, a complete closure is provided, as indicated in Fig. 1. Thelarger of these two covers may be provided with a pair of supports 11arranged adjacent the end walls 9 and providing means towhich maybeconspace for the reception of such articles as cigarettes D of whichfour are shown in tiveto the case body so thatwhen the latter -1srested'upon a horizontal surface, the covnected the opposite ends of astrap or band '12, preferably of elastic material. Between this'bandand' the body of the cover is a erswill be disposed'vertically,when opened up. Accordingly, whatever contents are carried by the coverB are brought to a vertical position with their ends projected upwardlybeyond the cover so as to be convenient for removal from the case.

Both covers, when 1n closed position are releasably held. This isaccomplished by latch devices one at each end of the case,

and each, by preference, a duplicate of the other. These devices mayinclude, in each instance, a spring arm .15 having one end. 16 securedfast to'the case wall 7 between its bezel 8 and the case bottom 6. If desired, a strap 17 connected with the bezel and the case bottom mayoverlie the spring arm, as shown, at approximately the point where it isrequired to bend when moved to release position. At its free end thespring arm is connected with a button in the form of a plate 18 whichextends through a slot Interiorly of'the case this button carries a pairof upstanding lugs 20 each having a beveled head 21 providing, ineffect, a catch which is adapted to engage with a shoulder 22 formed onthe inner face of one cover wall 9 preferably by providing a recesstherein. The two catches 21 are so positioned relative to the covers Band C that one will engage each cover. Since a duplicate latch mechanismis provided for each end ofthe case, it follows that each of the twocovers is held at its opposite ends when moved to closed posi tion, asshown in Fig. 1.

To open the case, pressure is applied simultaneously to the two buttons18. Thereupon the catches are released from engagement with the coversso that the latter are free to open in response to the pressure of thesprings associated with their respective hinges. The cigarettes or otherarticles which normally occupy the entire space between the oppositeside walls of the case are raised with the cover B. By providing twosuch covers adapted for simultaneous operation, cigarettes longer thanthe width of one cover can be carried thereby and brought to an elevatedposition for removal from the case. This is a feature which conduces toconvenience.

A case of the kind described may be made very compact in size. Itscontents, such as cigarettes, are secured in place by some such simplemeans as an elastic strap, so that the withdrawal thereof requires onlyan end- Wise movement, the ends of the cigarettes being otherwiseunconfined when the covers are brought to elevated position.

I claim: 7

1.'A case having marginal walls, a pair of covers hinged to oppositewalls of the case and having spring means for normally swinging to openposition, one of the covers providing a closure for" the major portionfor removably supportcase and adapted con ointly to provide a V closuretherefor, means for removably supporting in one cover articles which areswung out of the case whenboth covers are opened, and latch meanscarried by the case for releasably holding either or both of the twocovers in closed position upon the case, substantially as described.

3. A case having marginal walls, a pair of covers hinged to oppositewalls of the case and providing COIlJ-OllltlY a closure therefor,

a bezel extending inwardly from the case walls providing a stop for thecovers when brought to closed p0siti'on, and latch means carried by thecase providing a releasable catch by which the two covers are normallyheld independently-of each other in closed position, substantially asdescribed.

FRANK E. WAKEFIELD.

